DESPITE Kenya?s rise through the ranks of international cricket ? they reached the semi-finals of the World Cup just three years ago ? there no longer appears to be a huge amount of interest in the game.

Football, currently in administrative turmoil with the national side banned from competition by FIFA, remains the number one sport in Nairobi, closely followed by athletics.

News of the ongoing football woes along with how Kenya?s top runners fared in the weekend?s New York Marathon filled the back pages of Monday?s newspapers, with barely a mention of the Intercontinental Cup match between Kenya and Bermuda.

At the host venue, the Nairobi Gymkhana, a private members club surrounded by high walls and guarded by a large security staff, few spectators, although allowed to enter free of charge, have taken advantage of the six covered stands and pavilion which circle the playing area.

While frequent showers will have deterred some, no more than 200 turned up for the opening day?s play, many of those attending late in the afternoon after domestic matches had finished.

Also conspicuous by their absence at the ground have been the Nairobi media, those who have taken an interest in the game popping by for the final session to jot down details from the scorebook.

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MUCH like the demise of football in Nairobi, cricket?s decline has also been blamed on the administration.

Allegations of corruption were rife after much of the money generated from the World Cup success of 2003 went missing.

Those now running Kenya cricket say little from the World Cup proceeds was invested in the development of the sport and would-be sponsors have deserted the game, although the upcoming one-day series between Bermuda and Kenya in Mombasa has received corporate backing.

Most of the cash made available by Government is now required to meet the salary of coach Roger Harper ? brother of former Bermuda national coach Mark Harper ? who was appointed earlier this year.

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WITH rain having washed out much of Monday?s play and all of yesterday, some observers here have questioned the timing of Bermuda?s tour.

Late October/early Novembers is regarded as Kenya?s ?short? rainy season, although much heavier downpours are expected from March through to May.

?This time of year you can expect the weather to be wet,? said one Kenya official. ?We could have told you a long time ago that early November wasn?t the ideal time to visit. It would be unusual if we went for four days at this time of year without getting some rain.?

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WHILE yesterday?s rain prevented any action out on the pitch, there was plenty in the pavilion?s main hall with several of Bermuda?s players as well as umpires Tony Hill and Buddhi Pradhan honing their table tennis skills.

As national table tennis champion, former Bermuda opener Dexter Smith, now working for in London, would have been in his element.

Certainly on yesterday?s evidence, not too many of the current crop would have have put him to the test.